Just a few shots from inside Chatsworth House.

The first is a stairway which you meet very soon after the entrance when you make the tour.

As a scientist this interested me. It’s one of two cabinets of minerals collected by Georgiana, first wife of the 5th Duke of Devonshire, the one they made a film about recently.

This was an annexe off the small Library, complete with Steinway piano.

And this is the old chapel with a prominent keyboard instrument (spinet? virginal? clavichord? I don’t think it’s a harpsichord) and a sculpture whose subject I’ve forgotten. The sculpture has only recently been moved into the chapel but the guidebook isn’t forthcoming and neither are Wikipedia nor Flickr.

Part of the ceiling in the old chapel, typical of the elaborate painted ceilings in the house.

Unfortunately when we visited last week Chatsworth House was swathed in plastic and scaffolding so we never actually saw the frontage. They don’t miss a trick though. For an extra contribution you could go on a scaffolding tour. (We gave that one a miss.)

This is the stable block – which is big enough on its own.

There’s a quadrangle inside the block with buildings all the way round with shops, eateries etc. The only selling opportunity missed was that there was a lack of a decent plant sale outlet. The only plants they had for sale were pretty poor specimens. It’s difficult not to get other folk in the photos. The place was stowed.

The grounds and gardens are huge. You could spend the whole day doing them alone. This is the Emperor Fountain and Canal Pond, complete with sculptures. The Cavendish family, whose home it is, seem to be very fond of their art. The house and grounds are liberally sprinkled with works old and new.

I especially liked these rock formations – probably artificial; Capability Brown landscaped the estate.

I suppose this one shows off Brown’s handiwork.

This pond was up a hill. You cannot see the house from it at all. More of Brown’s efforts I should think. The photo was taken from a grotto perched like an eyrie above it.

As we were leaving a couple of Morgan cars pulled into the car park. I waited till the drivers had left before taking the picture.